| NSF Org: |
OCE Division Of Ocean Sciences |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | April 17, 2018 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | March 4, 2020 |
| Award Number: | 1757419 |
| Award Instrument: | Continuing Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Elizabeth Rom
elrom@nsf.gov (703)292-7709 OCE Division Of Ocean Sciences GEO Directorate for Geosciences |
| Start Date: | May 1, 2018 |
| End Date: | December 31, 2021 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $371,119.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $372,747.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
FY 2019 = $133,018.00 FY 2020 = $134,443.00 |
| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
1600 KEN THOMPSON PKWY SARASOTA FL US 34236-1004 (941)388-4441 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
FL US 34236-1004 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | EDUCATION/HUMAN RESOURCES,OCE |
| Primary Program Source: |
01001920DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT 01002021DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT |
| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.050 |
ABSTRACT
Research training for the next generation of marine scientists and oceanographers is an important focus for the Division of Ocean Sciences. The Mote Marine Lab (MML) in Sarasota, FL will host a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program from 2018-2020. The program will bring ten undergraduates to MML each summer for a 10-week internship. The intellectual focus of the internship is on estuarine, coastal, and marine sciences. Research at the laboratory encompasses the diversity and interconnectedness of ocean and coastal resources and includes basic and applied research on biological and chemical features of estuaries and nearshore waters, and on behavioral and physiological aspects of species inhabiting these ecosystems
Students will conduct independent research projects with the guidance of research mentors and will participate in a variety of professional development activities, including workshops on scientific ethics, scientific writing, the graduate school experience and career options, as well as a seminar series, field trips and outreach events. The program conducts a national search for applicants and seeks to engage students who are from schools with limited research opportunities. Most of the funding provided supports student stipends, housing and travel to attend the program. This project supports the national goals of developing the next generation of scientists and the scientific workforce.
The MML REU Site will provide a total of thirty undergraduates with internships over the three-year period. Student will work with mentors who have a wide range of ongoing research on topics such as ocean acidification, effects of Deepwater Horizon oil spill and responses of estuarine or coastal communities to changes in environmental parameters (e.g. temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen).
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
Mote Marine Laboratory’s Research Experience for Undergraduates Program provided a unique research experience to 30 participants from the funded periods 2018-2020. The program is extremely competitive with between 200-400 applications received each year for the 10 available positions. The intellectual focus of Mote’s NSF REU program is on estuarine science, particularly basic and applied research on the biological and chemical features of estuaries. The integrating theme of the program is to address major threats to coastal habitats that were highlighted in reports on the state of the oceans by the Pew Oceans Commission (2003) and the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy (USCOP) (2004). In particular, students conduct independent research projects related to one or more of the following topics: aquatic pollution, natural toxins, habitat alteration and coral reef decline.
Under mentorship of a Mote scientist, each student plans and conducts his/her own research project. The culminating event is a poster session in which students present their research findings to Mote scientific staff, other interns, and volunteers. In addition to research projects, various activities are provided to enrich student experiences. Activities include social activities such as boating and kayaking trips. Professional development activities include seminars on how to present a scientific talk, tips on applying to grad school, and visiting State and Federal agencies conducting research in marine science to provide insight on various career paths. A research ethics component is also included. Students complete the summer with a well-rounded view of the responsibilities of a research scientist. Students provide feedback at the end of the summer on experiences they considered the most beneficial and suggestions on how to continue to improve the program to provide the best research experience for future intern cohorts.
All of students come from outside Mote Marine Laboratory. Over the funded period (2018-2020), our participants included over 40% that were from groups underrepresented in Ocean Sciences and non-traditional students. We have a high percentage of our students who continue their education in science through pursuing graduate degrees. From interns participating during this funded period, we currently have 60% students that are either actively applying to or currently enrolled in graduate schools and or currently employed in a science field. Due to a recent emphasis on providing research experiences to students earlier in the career, many (23%) of our interns are currently still in undergraduate school. Past interns that participated during this funded period have also been productive, with 6 giving presentations at scientific conferences and three as co-authors on scientific publications. Many of our previous interns are actively collaborating with their Mote mentors. We are very proud of our interns!
Last Modified: 02/07/2022
Modified by: Catherine J Walsh
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